53% of Republicans "More Likely" to Support Standing Up to Far Right in GOP; The GOP "Sister Souljah" Strategy Will Work

November 12, 1998

(WASHINGTON, DC) – In a poll conducted for Log Cabin Republicans by American
Viewpoint, an Alexandria (VA)-based Republican polling firm, most
Republicans -- including Republican men --said they would be more likely to
support a Republican candidate for President in 2000 who confronts the
religious right, rather than panders to them.
Furthermore, the poll found that a third of African American voters would
be more likely to support a GOP candidate that confronted the religious
right, as well as a majority of voters aged 18 to 29. Also, most
Independents would move into the GOP column, and majorities of those who
voted for Bob Dole and Ross Perot for President in 1996.

In addition, the poll suggests that such a candidate would not spark a
revolt among conservative voters. Among those identifying as "somewhat
conservative," 46% would still be "more likely" to support the GOP
candidate, as opposed to 31% who would be "less likely." The plurality is
the same among those identifying as "very conservative" -- 46% would still
be "more likely" to support the GOP, with 32% as "less likely," with
"devout right" split 40%-38%.

"The data in this poll indicates that a bold move by one Republican
candidate in 2000 would be a winning strategy for both the primaries and
the general election," said Richard Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin
Republicans. "A conservative Republican who confronts the religious right,
articulates a strong Republican message and reaches out to the mainstream
can both win the nomination, bring in swing voters and rip into the
Democratic base."

"The Republican Party is at a turning point," Tafel said. "The religious
right was trounced in this election and those Republicans who ran away from
them won by a landslide. The Republican governors are pointing the way for
the party -- voters who disapproved of the performance of the Republican
Congress would be more likely to vote for a Republican who takes on the
religious right. That shows which half of the GOP the voters want more
from now on."

The national survey of 1,000 Americans who voted on November 3, conducted
for Log Cabin Republicans, found the following results:

Question: Would you be more likely or less likely to support a Republican candidate for President who confronted the religious right, rather than pandering to them?